Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!sdd.hp.com!decwrl!hayes.fai.alaska.edu!accuvax.nwu.edu!nucsrl!telecom-request
From: depolo@eniac.seas.upenn.edu (Jeff DePolo)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Name That Tone
Message-ID: <11997@accuvax.nwu.edu>
Date: 10 Sep 90 20:38:57 GMT
Sender: news@accuvax.nwu.edu
Reply-To: Jeff DePolo <depolo@eniac.seas.upenn.edu>
Organization: University of Pennsylvania
Lines: 22
Approved: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 10, Issue 635, Message 2 of 13


I've been receiving a periodic call on my home phone.  It happens
about every five minutes and is always the same thing.  It's a
periodic tone, single frequency, and repeats for about 20 seconds
before the ine disconnects.  By ear, it's about 500 Hz, 500 ms on, 1.5
seconds off.  It doesn't sound like any modem I've ever heard before.
I was thinking maybe FAX, but I've never listened to the start of a
FAX transmission, so I don't know.  Based on its periodic behavior and
it's frequent recalling, it must be computer-originated, but I can't
find out for sure.

I've tried *69 for return calling, but I get Bell of PA's recording
saying that it's out of my calling area.  Bell of PA's Annoyance
Calling Department just told me to leave the phone off the hook and if
it keeps up for more than a day to call them back.  Some help, but I
can see their reasoning.  Any ideas of what it is?  I'm more curious
than annoyed.


Jeff DePolo  N3HBZ             Twisted Pair: (215) 386-7199                  
depolo@eniac.seas.upenn.edu    RF: 146.685- 442.70+ 144.455s (Philadelphia)  
University of Pennsylvania     Carrier Pigeon: 420 S. 42nd St. Phila PA 19104